Issue 24-6, 2025

Review

https://doi.org/10.38025/2078-1962-2025-24-6-110-117

Current Therapeutic Strategies for the Treatment of Radiation-Induced Skin Damages: a Literature Review

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ORCIDPetr S. Eremin*, ORCIDElena A. Rozhkova

National Medical Research Center for Rehabilitation and Balneology, Moscow, Russia


ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION. Radiation-induced skin damage remains a serious clinical problem, affecting a significant proportion of patients undergoing radiation therapy, as well as individuals exposed to radiation due to accidents or environmental factors. The pathogenesis of such damage is extremely complex and includes both acute and delayed cellular responses — deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, vascular abnormalities, as well as activation of apoptosis, necrosis, and cellular senescence in epidermal and dermal structures.

AIM. To summarize current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying radiation-induced skin damage and evaluate current therapeutic approaches, including regenerative medicine technologies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. A review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases. Dates of access: September–October 2025.

MAIN CONTENT OF THE REVIEW. This review systematizes current data on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of radiation-induced skin damage, including DNA damage, redox homeostasis disruption, inflammatory and vascular responses, apoptosis, necrosis, and senescence. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of new regenerative approaches cellular, acellular, and bioengineered technologies aimed at restoring skin structure and function. The outlooks for the use of mesenchymal stem cells, the cellular component of the stromal-vascular fraction, exosomes, as well as hydrogels and biopolymer coatings are considered.

CONCLUSION. The topic is relevant due to a high incidence of skin complications in patients undergoing radiation therapy and a lack of universal treatment standards. A comprehensive understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms and the development of regenerative technologies offer the potential to create personalized therapeutic protocols aimed at restoring morphofunctional integrity and improving patients’ quality of life.


KEYWORDS: radiation-induced skin damage, oxidative stress, cellular aging, mesenchymal stem cells, stromal-vascular fraction, exosomes, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering

FOR CITATION: Eremin P.S., Rozhkova E.A. Current Therapeutic Strategies for the Treatment of Radiation-Induced Skin Damages: a Literature Review. Bulletin of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2025; 24(6):110–117. https://doi.org/10.38025/2078-1962-2025-24-6-110-117 (In Russ.).

FOR CORRESPONDENCE:

Petr S. Eremin, Email: ereminps@gmail.com, ereminps@nmicrk.ru


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This is an open article under the CC BY 4.0 license. Published by the National Medical Research Center for Rehabilitation and Balneology.